Cancer-ridden Israeli mother battling brain tumour begs Hamas to free daughter held captive in Gaza amid fears illness could claim her life – ‘My one wish is to hug my girl before I can’t anymore’

Liora Argamani’s temporary apartment near her cancer treatment clinic is decorated with photos of her only child Noa, 26, who was kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists on October 7. But time is not on the family’s side.

On Friday, Hamas released 13 hostages as part of a four-day ceasefire brokered by Qatar, the US and Egypt, but Noa’s name was not on the list.

Thirteen Israelis, ten Thai citizens and one Filipino hostage were released from the approximately 240 people taken in the October 7 attack on Israel that sparked the war, while Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison.

On Saturday, after initially refusing to release them, Hamas finally agreed to release the second group of Israeli hostages after claiming that Israel had failed to adhere to the terms of the deal and not provide enough aid to Gaza had delivered.

Qatari and Egyptian mediators say Hamas has agreed to release 13 Israelis and seven “foreigners” on Saturday in exchange for 39 Palestinians jailed by Israel.

As the world waits for this second release, Noa’s mother Liora told the Mail on Sunday that she only asks for one thing before she backs down.

“My only wish would be to hug and see Noa before anything happens to me due to my medical condition, which would mean I won’t be able to do that.

Liora Argamani, pictured on Thursday, says her only wish is to hug and see Noa before her brain tumor progresses and her condition worsens

Noa’s father, Yakov, says doctors have told the family that his wife Liora may not live long

Yakov sits with Noa’s friends, who have had a song sung in honor of Noa and her friend Avi Natan, who was also kidnapped from the Nova festival

Yakov looks at photos of Noa as a child while thinking about his kidnapped daughter

This video, which circulated on social media, reportedly shows Noa in captivity in Gaza

‘I know she’s a strong girl. We are waiting for her. Only the thought of her coming home keeps me strong.’

Liora is battling stage 4 brain cancer and her husband Yakov says doctors have no hope.

‘I don’t want to elaborate on it, but it’s not good. The doctors have not given a good prognosis, but I believe it is in God’s hands. I believe it will turn out fine.’

Apart from a photo of Noa drinking water in what appeared to be Gaza, which was posted in a Hamas telegram channel, the family has had no news of her safety.

‘We know nothing more than what the media has reported. All we have seen are the images of Noa being kidnapped and then sitting on the couch with a bottle of water.’

At his home in Tel Aviv, the Argamanis are surrounded by friends and family who have had a song sung in honor of Noa and her boyfriend Avi Natan, who were also kidnapped from the Nova festival.

Photos of the handsome couple hang on the walls, including the Mail on Sunday headline on the front page: ‘Don’t kill me.’ who sits on an empty chair symbolizing her absence.

Liora is too weak to join the family and friends in the living room and Yakov can’t help but sob.

‘I am experiencing the most difficult period of my life. Before October 7, I weighed 20 pounds more than I do now.

‘The thoughts I have would tear you apart. And this is in addition to my wife’s poor health condition. It’s hard to digest all this.’

‘As an only child, Noa is the person who arranged her mother’s care, her doctors, her medication and so on.

Liora is comforted by a family friend as they await the hoped-for release of Noa Argamani

Liora Argamani, pictured Thursday in Tel Aviv, Israel, is battling stage 4 brain cancer

Along with hundreds of other young Israelis, Noa (pictured) had been enjoying a peace festival in the desert when they were forced to flee for their lives

Noa was driven away through the desert by Hamas terrorists on a motorcycle

Her boyfriend, Avi Nathan, distraught and helpless, was also seen on video being kidnapped

A photo taken earlier this year of Avi Natan, who was also kidnapped from the Nova festival

‘She had a tough year studying at university and yet she still took care of mum.

“Now that Noa is gone, it is our responsibility to take care of her family until she returns.” says Noa’s childhood friend Yan Gorjaltsan.